Blues went four points clear of the Blades after doing a thoroughly professional job on Watford.

It was Blues’ 10th 1-0 win of the season and stretched their unbeaten run to nine games, the best sequence since the surge to the play-off final in 2002.

Kevin Blackwell’s side are tonight away at Burnley, another Championship promotion-chaser.

“Of course we have put pressure on Sheffield United and they have to respond to that,” said the Blues boss.

“It’s a tough place to go. I know how we felt going into the Charlton Athletic game last week, especially after performing so well against Wolves with ten men.

“We went into the Charlton game a bit leggy and a little bit psychologically wary of Sheffield United’s threat as they had beaten Reading the day before. So the boot is on the other foot.”

McLeish said he would always back his players to come through and show their mental strength at such a nerve-jangling stage of the season.

“I said that they can handle the mental side whatever advantage they had and I thought they handled it well Saturday,’’ he added.

“I felt we never panicked, never really forced the play too much, there were a couple of occasions with a longer ball when we could have picked a pass in that search for a goal.

“By and large, though, I thought the team looked pretty composed mentally.

“We said that if they see it as an opportunity not as a threat then you can also bring something to it. I know what they are capable of.”

Ultimately, it’s not what Sheffield manage to do, but Blues.

McLeish agreed, saying: ‘‘We’ve given ourselves a real shot in the arm with the victory.

“We’ve given ourselves that platform again, and it’s in our hands. I know it’s a tough task but that’s the simple truth of the matter.”

Blues’ victory denied Mick McCarthy’s Wolves the chance to be confirmed as champions after their promotion-clinching win over QPR.

“Congratulations to Wolves,” said McLeish. “Big Mick’s a great friend and a superb character. I’m pleased for him and I hope he will be saying the same thing about myself and Birmingham in a couple of weeks time.”